Downtown Design Guidelines

Please Click Here to access Novato's Downtown Design Guidelines.

The Downtown Novato Design Guidelines serve as an important reference tool to insure that each new construction project is of the highest quality and provides a positive contribution to the Downtown’s built environment. The Design Guidelines are intended to guide site and architectural design for new buildings, and additions and renovations of existing buildings.  The goal is to optimize the look and function of each building and its aesthetic and functional contribution to the greater Downtown area.  To this end, the Guidelines are intended to be utilized by project sponsors, the public, City staff, and the decision making authority when considering the merits of a project’s design. By following applicable criteria contained within these Design Guidelines, a project’s proponent(s) can anticipate expedited Design Review and approval.

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Downtown Specific Plan

Please Click Here to access Novato's Downtown Specific Plan.

The Downtown Specific Plan presents improvements, policies, and programs to revitalize and enhance the downtown. The Specific Plan promotes the mission of Downtown Novato as the heart of the community by maintaining and enhancing the small town feel, historical character, charm and human scale that is pedestrian friendly while facilitating the development of the downtown as a thriving, multi-faceted hub of economic, social, and cultural activities and an active gathering place that reflects quality in its built environment and personal services provided.

DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENTS

Date	Resolution	Element	Description/Summary
11/19/13	101-13	Land Use	Text amendments Downtown Specific Plan to include an Affordable Housing Opportunity Combining Designation(AHO) and to Assign the AHO Designation to 7506 Redwood Blvd; APN 143-011-08.

2.2.1 Land Use Classifications

Affordable Housing Opportunity Combining Designation (AHO). Properties designated AHO provide a means of achieving the residential housing objectives of the Housing Element of the General Plan, while still allowing the use permitted in the underlying land use designation.

• Pursuant to the General Plan, including the Housing Element, uses allowed in the AHO designation include Multiple-family dwellings, accessory retail and service uses, recreation, home occupations, community facilities, and other similar uses to serve residents of multiple-family dwellings, and any land use normally allowed in the primary land use designation.

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Novato Industrial Park Precise Development and Master Plan

Please Click Here to access Novato's Industrial Park PDP & MP.

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Hamilton Field 

Please Click Here to access Novato's Hamilton Field Master Plan

Please Click Here to access Novato's Hamilton Field Design Guidelines

Please Click Here to access the Hamilton Army Airfield Reuse Plan

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Streetscape Master Plan

Please Click Here to access Novato's Streetscape Master Plan.

The Street Scape Master Plan is a guiding document for future street scape development and  improvement, including phased public improvements and beautification programs, along the major streets of Novato. When projects include street and frontage improvements, the guidelines for the particular street, contained in the Streetscape Master Plan, will be consulted. Over time, the major streets will achieve a continuity in design and appearance.

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Community Strategic Plan Novato 2028

Please Click Here to access Novato's Community Strategic Plan 2028.

Novato 2028 A vision for the Future represents the conclusion of a one year effort by the Committee to create a Community Strategic Plan for Novato, During the year, the Committee drew upon the experience and expertise of its members, facilitated committee/citizen focus groups, conducted three community workshops, and dedicated more than 3,000 hours to discuss, synthesize, debate, and achieve consensus on important issues facing the community now and in the future.

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Environmental Review Guidelines

Please Click Here to access Novato's Environmental Review Guidelines.

The City of Novato Environmental Guidelines set forth the definitions, procedures, and criteria used by the City to implement the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA).  The Guidelines are applicable to any public or private project subject to discretionary approval by the City.